It’s Saturday Open Forum! What would you like to discuss? Mtel? The US Championship? The upcoming Candidate’s Matches? The USCF Executive Board Election? Danailov’s statements?
Speak up, speak out, the forum is yours!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
What is the last date someone can join USCF and still vote in the election? Has that passed? Thanks! Paul
You have one more week if done by a credit card online.
Susan, we’re with you all the way. Thanks for letting us know the real truth. This is very disturbing. And if the leaders are clueless about the problems, they should step aside and let others help. Good luck!
Susan,
I am with you and I think almost everyone that visits this blog are looking forward to a victory celebration.
I’m very happy that you and those you’ve endorsed are running. What disturbs me is how the USCF and certain members thereof, have treated you.
It is an absolute shame that our beloved sport, chess, has now sank to such dirty politics as is the case with the current USCF Board.
I’ll never rejoin nor participate in any USCF sanctioned event as long as the current Board members are there. They are an embarrassment to our sport. You, however, have proven yourself far more than any of the current USCF politicians.
With your recent (and, by the way, Congratulations!!) appointment at University of Texas this only proves moreso that YOU’RE THE ONE FOR THE JOB to be the newest Board member of the USCF. I have faith that you’ll succeed. Your dedication is an inspiration to all. A heartfelt “thank you” from me and, I think, many others who visit your blog.
The current USCF Board disgusts me. I believe, firmly, that if the same people are re-elected (I don’t think they will be but, hypothetically speaking), then I say it’s time for a new U.S. Chess organization.
You have the name recognition and I believe that many, many people (including many well known American GM’s, IM’s and other members) would support the idea of a new and better organization founded upon principles that will keep our sport thriving in the U.S. for the sake of the next generation.
There is power in numbers, that is, those who support you and your team sticking together. Or, for those who just desire change…then let’s begin a dialogue.
Who says there can’t be new organization that represents chess within the United States? Unless this election brings you and other new members to the Board, I think it’s high time all USCF members ask themselves: In what specific way(s) is the current USCF administration truly representing the best interest of chess within the U.S.?
I think it’s time for a new organization. It might take time and a lot of work, but in the end, our sport would benefit greatly.
Don’t let the negative comments bother you. You have so many fans and supporters that agree on one issue: THE USCF MUST CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
We know your team can do it. But, if the election doesn’t turn out in a manner that is conducive to the best intersts of our great sport then it’s time to begin a new organization that will honestly represent U.S. chess.
It can happen. It can succeed, if the current USCF Board is not gotten rid of by not being re-elected.
Keep the faith everyone! There’s still hope for U.S. Chess we just need leaders like Susan and Paul Truong.
T.H.
If Polgar were elected to the USCF board and effected operational change, would that change be edifying? At its core essence, chess is not a mathematical puzzle so much as it is a part of the human dimension.
Danailov’s statements are typically clueless, and not really worth going into. Same-old same-old. He still has no clue he’s done anything wrong.
Something I’d like to question though, is the value of national titles these days. Before World War II, they used to be a pretty prize plum, with lots of heavy battles over them, but nowadays, it seems that the top players often don’t even bother trying to win their national title.
As early as 1950, there was a battle over top board on the US Team. Herman Steiner thought that as US Champion he should have it, but it went to Reshevsky, who everyone just knew was America’s top player. Same thing in 1970. US Champion Reshevsky takes second board to untitled Fischer.
In the whole Soviet era, there were only four years (out of a possible 40) where the World Champion won the Soviet title as well. Usually he didn’t even try.
Even in the current Mtel tournament, Chatalbashev is the Bulgarian Champion, but it doesn’t matter. Topalov is the only choice to be Bulgaria’s representative.
So, what about it? In these days, with Elo ratings dominating, and no more interzonal qualification from national championships, are they becoming passe?
Today the WNBA opens its 11th season. Who wins it this year Susan? And by next weekend we need your French Open Picks. In both WNBA and French Open last years champs will be really tough to dethrone. (Detroit Shock, Nadal, & Henin)
Susan: to what extent are computer chess playing programs, such as Rybka or Fritz for example, chess databases, such as Chess Assistant or ChessBase play a role in modern chess preparation and style of GM play in your opinion?
Next, if you and your sisters would have had access to this modern technology when you were little, how different or stronger would this have made Polgar Sisters in chess?
I can’t imagine how much stronger and sooner Fischer would have gotten if he had access to what we have today, including internet chess playing!
Susan and other real chessplayerson this blog,
I have just returned to chess this year, (March to be exact) having not played a game since I was in college (20 years ago).
In order to try to get somewhat back into shape I got a book on tactics (Encyclopedia of Combinations – Kalinichenko, which I understand is basically the same thing as George Renko’s Intensive course Tactics CD but in a paper format).
I also got copies of Silman’s Amateurs Mind and his new engame book.
Has anyone come across any other good books recently. I am fairly rusty and need to get my calculation and intuition skills up to par before I start looking at an opening repertoire etc
I know its a matter of choice in many cases but any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
If you go on ICC you can play games against TrainingBot any time of day or night. There are also other bots with different practice themes.
You can also purchase some software to work on tactics.
Good Luck
If you join up the USCF before the end of the month, and join up over the internet you will get an immediately uscf id number. Your ballot will then be mailed to you separate from the magazine in mid June. Make sure you receive the ballot. Vote immediately for Susan Paul Randy and Mikhail and get it immediately back into the mail. Every vote counts only if received in time.
Susan Polgar, with your focus on chess education and the USCF, do you ever miss just thinking about chess openings, playing competitive chess? How long each day do you get to spend time on improving your own chess? Chess seems to be something you do in your free time, whereas for other world champions, they do something besides chess in their free time because they spend most of the day on chess. Does that anger you that a world champion such as you do not have that life?
I have a question: what is the rating of those 2 boxing brothers?
I’m very disappointed that you, being a woman chess enthusiast, doesn’t broadcast anything about the First World Women’s Team Chess Championship even after FIDE put it on their front page. Is it because none of the participants is a GM?
http://www.chesswomen.com/en/index.php